"Baris...."
The increasingly urgent chime caused Davey's expression to become inscrutable.
At the same time, a hint of amusement emerged in the young man's voice. "You seem unaware, but long before you appeared, our organization had deeply entrenched its roots everywhere in the world. Even against a crown prince of a small country. With just one signal, I can assassinate him.”
Boom!
Suddenly, a blinding light blew off not only his right arm but also his shoulder. It was a High Divine Magic, Sacred Spear.
"You are an annoying piece of shit."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Even as part of his body was destroyed, the young man remained composed.
In reality, the severed part of his body appeared to dissolve and scatter like smoke.
"This body is a mere facade. Killing me changes nothing. Thinking a direct attack would work against someone as strong as you? Naive. Remember this,” the young man added. “I’m more of a strategist, and I have no intentions of confronting you directly.”
Emotion drained from Davey's face, replaced by a cold fury. Conversely, the young man smirked. Only his mouth was visible, with the rest of his face obscured by darkness.
"Of course, we can't confront you directly now, so we'll retreat. But we'll take that with us."
"..."
"And if you care about the lives of your dear ones, don't pursue us any further. Our eyes are everywhere in this world."
"Eyes everywhere?"
"Yes. Some as ordinary farmers, some as common nobles, others as royalty or wealthy magnates." As the young man spoke matter-of-factly, his form began to dissolve.
"You're not just any random organization, it seems."
"You're right. We're an extremely dangerous organization, especially to you. As for our name, we're the successors of the unique Death Lord that emerged from the Peslisa continent. Interdimensional travelers. Or, more fittingly, the Illuminati."
"The... Illuminati?!"
At this revelation, Illyna looked utterly shocked.
* * *
"Huff..." A boy walking down a dark corridor let out a weary sigh.
The boy's name was Baris O’Rowane. He was in his mid to late teens.
"Prince, would you like to see to the night duties?"
"I'd like to rest today, Chief Steward Vesperus."
Being the Fourth Prince of the Rowane Kingdom, Baris was originally in no position to vie for succession. Yet, now, he was undeniably the Crown Prince, next in line to be the King of the Rowane Kingdom.
"In two days, after your trade negotiations with Count Cholsik of the Sufirman Kingdom, the princess from the Duchy of Felicity will be visiting."
"That princess again?"
"Sigh... Prince, marriage is a significant event for one destined to be king."
"I'm not even thinking of marriage yet."
Baris grumbled, and Chief Steward Vesperus gave a wry smile. "It seems you're not entirely against it."
"..."
"Do you have someone in mind, Prince?"
"Chief Steward Vesperus, don't make unnecessary comments."
"You must remember. Even His Majesty initially intended to have only one woman as his lifelong companion. But the world doesn't always go as one desires."
Baris took off his glasses and massaged his temples. "If only I had the wisdom and strength like my brother..."
"Prince Davey is quite exceptional. But you, Prince, are different from him."
"I know... I know."
"And Prince Davey, while being stubborn, knows too."
He meant that one could not shirk their duties forever.
“Davey was someone who also loved this country. He would overturn political issues just to address the injustice of a single commoner and even administer punishment to the nobility for it. Because of his nature, there might come a time when he would be accepted.”
What Davey sought was not tyranny, but harmony. Therefore, if his thinking did not change, his stubbornness would change someday.
"Secure the promise with that princess."
"I will take care of it," replied the chief of Vesperus, bowing his head.
"Ah... I wish I could have a drink with my brother," Baris sighed, feeling as if his head was splitting open from exhaustion.
Baris, who was silently looking outside the palace, suddenly widened his eyes, sensing something strange.
Swoosh!
From the body of the chief of Vesperus, who had bowed and retreated from him, came an eerie sound.
"Prince... Watch out..."
Thump!
The chief of Vesperus collapsed the moment he uttered those words, causing Baris' eyes to bulge in shock.
"Chief steward! Damn it, who's there?! Who dares to infiltrate the Rowane Kingdom?!" Baris, who quickly approached the fallen chief of Vesperus and inspected him, gritted his teeth and shouted.
Who was the lunatic who penetrated the palace and stabbed the chief steward?
There was a large wound on the chief of Vesperus' shoulder, as if he had been stabbed with a sword. It looked as if a curse had been cast upon him; the wound was discolored, with black blood oozing out, and his skin was distorted.
Shing!
Reflexively, Baris drew his ornamental dagger, but he knew all too well that it would not be effective. Even with his cry echoing through the quiet, dark corridor, no one responded. It was as if Baris was left alone there.
Swish...
"Show yourself!"
Baris, filled with rage, vigilantly surveyed his surroundings and, simultaneously, took out a small bottle from his pocket, pouring its contents into the chief of Vesperus' mouth. It was an advanced healing potion that Davey had left for him for emergencies.
Swish...
As the stealthy movements clearly surpassed Baris's senses, a cold sweat dripped from his cheek. If the enemy held a grudge, Baris might very well die there. But the attacker did not assault him.
Whizz! Thud!
Instead, a crossbow bolt made of dark iron was shot at his feet.
“…”
Baris slowly approached the bolt embedded in the marble floor, to which a note was tied. All signs of the attacker had vanished, and Baris, with trembling hands, unfurled the note.
“…”
On the paper was a triangle with an eyeball in its center.
"Illuminati..." Baris muttered, horrified. "Does this organization truly exist?"
His face turned pale.
* * *
"I'll give you a choice."
"Will you hand over the Red Dragon Eye and leave? Or will you lose someone dear?"
Davey remained silent.
The young man was well-aware of Davey’s ability to quickly teleport back to the Rowane Kingdom. So, what the young man wanted was for Davey to hastily return to the Rowane Kingdom. The benefits the young man could gain from that were clear. Once Davey disappeared, only three Swordmasters would remain in this place. Considering the power of these people who referred to themselves as Illuminati, those three could be seen as too few.
Therefore...
"These cowards! Prince Baris has nothing to do with this!" yelled Illyna angrily.
The young man shrugged off Illyna's outburst. "A person who deceives their opponent by using dirty tricks. On the flip side, one should be prepared to be deceived and possibly fooled. Isn't it too despicable to think otherwise?"
"Damn it...!" Illyna, seeming furious, clenched her teeth and lunged at him.
However, Davey stepped in front of her, blocking her path, and slowly approached the man. He then asked, "Do you need this?"
The man nodded in response. "If you just hand it over, there's no need for us to clash. Our mission isn't just simple destruction."
"I don't care about your reasoning," Davey stated indifferently, placing the Red Dragon Eye on his own palm and offering it to the man. "Take it."
The man hesitated for a moment at Davey's words.
"What are you waiting for? Just take it."
"You..."
"Sharp-witted fellow," Davey said.
Before the man could react, Davey threw the Red Dragon Eye into the air. As the young man reflexively looked up at the marble…
Swish…
Suddenly, two swords drawn from Davey's grasp merged into one in a flash of light.
"Go back and tell everyone," Davey commanded.
The man choked, "Ugh…"
"To consider carefully who you've messed with. Death Lord from the continent of Peslisa? Rho Aias was from there too… Unfortunately, you've provoked not one but two figures you shouldn't have. There will be no further negotiations."
"My body... It's just an illusion…"
"Try and see," Davey challenged.
Beep.
-Title: Bearer of the Destroyed Karma of Death is equipped.
- Bearer of the Destroyed Karma of Death
- A title bestowed by the judge who evaluates the karmic deeds of death.
[Distinguishes between the caster and target's karma and delivers judgment. Dual-edged sword title.]
Even though it was just an illusion, if that illusory body was connected in any way to the main body, it would not fare well within Davey's reach.
In an instant, the power of the death judge infused Davey's sword. Judges were bizarre beings, created from the dreams of gods. Their titles were not something mere mortals could easily dismiss.
Crush…
Suddenly, an icy black frost enveloped the area, corroding the man, whose body twisted and contorted in agony.
"What... What is this…?" the man gasped.
"Everyone carries their karma. You're no exception. What's your name?"
The double-edged sword title was ineffective against Davey. His body harbored a force capable of resisting even divine power and judgments.
"...Do you truly need my name? I am Descent, known as [The One Who Calls Death] to the world." As the young man uttered these words, his body began to disintegrate.
"You broke your promise, so he will pay the price. Moreover, the cherished territory you protect will fall into the hands of someone you trust. Perhaps one of your loyal guardians was one of us... Who's to say?"
As his body completely crumbled away, Super Ribbon materialized in a burst of radiant light. Clad in a white dress with long, sky-blue hair, she clung to Davey and said, "Father..."
"I'm sorry, Super Ribbon. Can you stay here for now?"
With pure, innocent eyes, different from those of Red Ribbon, Super Ribbon gazed up at him.
"Assist Illyna," Davey instructed her.
Once deceived, never again. Davey believed that if he had been fooled once, it must have been fate. But he couldn't allow it to happen a second time.
"Davey..." Illyna murmured.
"Go with Super Ribbon. Utilize her powers to defend against potential further attacks."
Handing Super Ribbon's sword grip to Illyna, Davey released his mana.
Baris' life was at risk. He might not perish immediately, but the warning signal indicated a clear and present danger. Davey couldn't disregard the fact that enemies were on the move in the Heins territory.
Without hesitation, Davey teleported directly to the capital of the Rowane Kingdom. The people of the Heins territory were like family to him. Baris, his ill-fated brother who always seemed to land in trouble because of Davey's actions, was someone he couldn't afford to lose. Despite the strain it put on his body from teleporting too quickly, Davey headed straight for Baris's office.
Crash!!
Baris was startled by Davey’s sudden appearance. His eyes widened as he stared at the newcomer. By his side stood knights, and on the bed lay a collapsed Vesperus.
"Baris."
"Brother!!"
As soon as he saw Davey, Baris hurried toward him. However, before he could express relief, he was met with a swift move.
Thud!!
"Eek?!"
Baris let out a surprised yelp as Davey grabbed him, but Davey didn't pause; he teleported again. In this kingdom, the only person he was determined to protect was Baris. As for Winley, she was in the company of the Great Sage, and as long as the Great Sage remained loyal, she would be safe.
Snap!!
Davey shot straight into the Heins territory, heading toward the location of the guardians.
"Huh?! Lord...?"
"Gather all the guardians," he commanded coldly.
The resting guardians appeared confused at first.
"Move, now!!!" Davey shouted again, prompting them to spring into action.
Their rapid response was evident as Monmider's soldiers and knights, who were part of the guardian group, swiftly congregated in the dormitory hall. Davey quickly assessed their numbers to determine how many officers were present.
Based on the information he had received, there could be a traitor among the guardians. He needed to act before it was too late.
"Sir... Monmider, the leader, is off-duty today..."
"Where is he?"
"I don't really know..."
Just then, a guardian exclaimed, and Davey's gaze turned frigid.
* * *
"Hmm... Hmm..."
A man, stumbling through the lord's city, came to a sudden stop. Despite being off-duty, he had somehow found himself at the dormitory of the Heins territory's knight group on pure instinct.
"Ugh... What is this..."
Frowning and still feeling the effects of alcohol, he scanned his surroundings and chastised himself for ending up here. But something felt amiss. The atmosphere in the dormitory was peculiar. He furrowed his brow and began to walk with more purpose, pushing through the haze of inebriation.
The dormitory, typically silent at this hour, was alive with noise. He hastened toward the source of the disturbance—the hall.
The first rule of the dormitory was clear: Everyone, except those on duty, must rest quietly at night to avoid disturbing fellow knights, soldiers, or guardians. Yet...
"Why is there such a commotion now?!"
He forcefully pushed open the doors to the hall, and every eye inside turned to him. What in the world was happening? A wave of heat washed over him, and he stumbled slightly, still feeling the influence of alcohol.
In response, he bellowed, "I'm Monmider, and I am thoroughly disappointed in all of you! Creating such a ruckus at this hour!!"
A sudden silence fell upon the room.
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